Post by Mysti on Jul 7, 2007 4:09:02 GMT -5
Oct 30 through Nov 1
It is said the veils of time and of space thin to the barest of covers at this time and the dead are closer to us now then at any other time of year. We gather together to remember the passage of our loved ones and to be near them at this time.
There are two types of ritual celebrations that are done at this time of year:
The Dumb Supper~ This is a memorial feast held in total silence. This feast is held in a sacred space and silence is observed throughout the whole of the supper. Artifacts of loved ones are placed in an honored spot to welcome them to enter and sup with the ritual goers. It is said the silence helps prepare the observers for the communion with the spirit realm.
The Feast of the Dead~ This is almost the same as the above ritual. But in this ritual at the end of the feast, ritual goers gather in a circle and collect their memorabilia. They speak of their memories and draw their loved ones close with their musings.
In each instance we open a circle and gather our loved ones closer to each and every person gathered. It is a healing time where we can commune and remember.
Chant:
Heckate, Cerridwin, Dark Mother take us in!
Heckate, Cerridwin, Let us be reborn!
Lore:
At this time of the year the Crone rules the darkness and the Holly King enters the underworld and leads the Raid that gathers the souls of the dead to enter the underworld through the Crone. "All must go through Me to be reborn of Me!" Says the Crone Goddess.
All is silent at this time of year until Yule (Dec. 21) when the God is again delivered of the Mother by the Crone. We await now the re-birth of the God.
A Samhain Story Samhain Lore & History
from knoll to knoll light the pyre
beacons in the gloom of night
brightly shine
direct home the raid which flies
o'er the skies
rides my Lord to lead them
home to the Crone who waits
fear her not She ye enter
She who is the gateway
Summerland waits for thee
ah shall I then ride just once
aboard the raid with my Lord
antlered head bows
hand held out in invitation
up I am lifted such strength have I not known
the sounds of horses fill my ears
the wind whips past and grabs my hair
the grounds below lit with pyre on hills light our way
'Come Come' my Lord does beckon
as spirits rise to join us
we ride o'er the skies quick before the dawn
reach we an ancient place
old as time itself
cold as the grave we enter
the face of the Crone we see
'All must pass through me'
'All must be reborn of me'
Her face is that of death to me
then I face Her fully no fear have I
beauty then greets me
tis the Mother that grasps me to Her breast
'you have seen me as I am'
walk I then for just a moment at Her side
I turn to look and the Maiden greets me.
'You see we are as one'
'Each plays our part'
She smiles at me
then a hand held down
I look up as antlered head bows
tis time for me to go
tis not my time to stay
whisked away through this gentle place
where spirits rest
back up in front of my Lord
held tightly to His chest am I
then I am returned to my place
returned to the pyre on the knoll
'Till next we meet child'
and He is gone the raid close on His heels
by: Mysti
9-30-06 all rights reserved
do not copy w/o permission
Symbols: jack-o'-lantern, balefire, besom, masks, cauldron, Waning Moon.
Foods: apples, pumpkin pie, beets, turnips, hazelnuts, corn, gingerbread, pomegranates, cider, herbal teas, pork dishes.
Feast of Apples
Plants and Herbs: mugwort, allspice, sage, gourds, catnip, apple trees.
Scents: frankincense, basil, yarrow, lilac, ylang-ylang, clove, camphor.
Colors: black, orange, red, brown, golden yellow.
Stones: obsidian, onyx, carnelian
It is said the veils of time and of space thin to the barest of covers at this time and the dead are closer to us now then at any other time of year. We gather together to remember the passage of our loved ones and to be near them at this time.
There are two types of ritual celebrations that are done at this time of year:
The Dumb Supper~ This is a memorial feast held in total silence. This feast is held in a sacred space and silence is observed throughout the whole of the supper. Artifacts of loved ones are placed in an honored spot to welcome them to enter and sup with the ritual goers. It is said the silence helps prepare the observers for the communion with the spirit realm.
The Feast of the Dead~ This is almost the same as the above ritual. But in this ritual at the end of the feast, ritual goers gather in a circle and collect their memorabilia. They speak of their memories and draw their loved ones close with their musings.
In each instance we open a circle and gather our loved ones closer to each and every person gathered. It is a healing time where we can commune and remember.
Chant:
Heckate, Cerridwin, Dark Mother take us in!
Heckate, Cerridwin, Let us be reborn!
Lore:
At this time of the year the Crone rules the darkness and the Holly King enters the underworld and leads the Raid that gathers the souls of the dead to enter the underworld through the Crone. "All must go through Me to be reborn of Me!" Says the Crone Goddess.
All is silent at this time of year until Yule (Dec. 21) when the God is again delivered of the Mother by the Crone. We await now the re-birth of the God.
A Samhain Story Samhain Lore & History
from knoll to knoll light the pyre
beacons in the gloom of night
brightly shine
direct home the raid which flies
o'er the skies
rides my Lord to lead them
home to the Crone who waits
fear her not She ye enter
She who is the gateway
Summerland waits for thee
ah shall I then ride just once
aboard the raid with my Lord
antlered head bows
hand held out in invitation
up I am lifted such strength have I not known
the sounds of horses fill my ears
the wind whips past and grabs my hair
the grounds below lit with pyre on hills light our way
'Come Come' my Lord does beckon
as spirits rise to join us
we ride o'er the skies quick before the dawn
reach we an ancient place
old as time itself
cold as the grave we enter
the face of the Crone we see
'All must pass through me'
'All must be reborn of me'
Her face is that of death to me
then I face Her fully no fear have I
beauty then greets me
tis the Mother that grasps me to Her breast
'you have seen me as I am'
walk I then for just a moment at Her side
I turn to look and the Maiden greets me.
'You see we are as one'
'Each plays our part'
She smiles at me
then a hand held down
I look up as antlered head bows
tis time for me to go
tis not my time to stay
whisked away through this gentle place
where spirits rest
back up in front of my Lord
held tightly to His chest am I
then I am returned to my place
returned to the pyre on the knoll
'Till next we meet child'
and He is gone the raid close on His heels
by: Mysti
9-30-06 all rights reserved
do not copy w/o permission
Symbols: jack-o'-lantern, balefire, besom, masks, cauldron, Waning Moon.
Foods: apples, pumpkin pie, beets, turnips, hazelnuts, corn, gingerbread, pomegranates, cider, herbal teas, pork dishes.
Feast of Apples
Plants and Herbs: mugwort, allspice, sage, gourds, catnip, apple trees.
Scents: frankincense, basil, yarrow, lilac, ylang-ylang, clove, camphor.
Colors: black, orange, red, brown, golden yellow.
Stones: obsidian, onyx, carnelian